Nursing unit



Sept. 21, 1937. Y. H. KURKJIAN NURSING UNIT Filed Aug. 2a, 1935 NN 6 9N YER VANT H. KUHKJ/AN Patented Sept. 21, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE",

NURSING UNIT Yervaut H. Kurkjian, Clifton, N. J.

Application August 28, 1935,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to nursing units, and has for one of its principal objects the production of a resilient'ilanged nipple which is so constructed as to permit the nipple to be secured to the mouth `of a bottle by means of a retaining cap, and permit the entrance of air into the interior of the bottle, and also prevent the nipple from collapsing inwardly of the retaining cap.

A further object of,this invention is the production of` a nursing unit wherein a flexible nipple having a vented flexible flange is removably retained upon the neck of a bottle by means of a retaining cap which is so constructed as to resist the spreading of the vented portion of the flange in the event of excessive pull thereon.

Another object of this invention is the production of a nursing unit wherein a nipple retaining cap is constructed in 'a manner as to present a streamline type of connection between the bottle and the nipple.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of the nursing unit, certain parts being shown in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2; j

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the nipple, partly shown in section;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4;y

Figure 6 is a vertical section showing a modified form of the nursing unit;

Figure 'l is a vertical section showing a still further modified form of the nursing unit;

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Figure '1.

By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that l0 designates the nursing bottle which is preferably of the wide-mouth type, having threads II formed near its open or outer end.

A flexible nipple I2 is adapted to fit over the open outer end of the bottle II), and is provided with a body portion constituting a neck |3 and a laterally extending and preferably annular flange |4. This flange I4 is preferably provided with a single venting aperture |5 and it should be understood that the flange |4 is integral with the body portion I3 of the nipple, the body portion and ange being formed of flexible material such as rubber. Should it be desired, any number of venting apertures may be inserted in the 'Figure 1, and is Serial No. 38,311

flange by merely piercing the ange with the pointed end of a needle or other instrument, thereby enabling the user to increase the flow of milk through the nipple when desired. The body portion I3 of the nipple is provided with an 5 overhanging shoulder I6 adjacent the point of junction between the body portion I3 and the flange I4, and this shoulder I6 is spaced vertically with respect to the upper face of the flange I4. Note particularly Figure 4.

An annular channel 9 is formed in the flange |4 at the junction of the flange I4 and the body portion I3 and directly under the shoulder I6.

A retaining cap is removably fitted over the a outer or open end of the bottle I0, as shown in 15 provided with screw-threads for interfitting with the threads This cap I1 is provided with a centrally located aperture I8 through which the neck or body portion I3 of the nipple extends. The cap I1 is provided with 20 an inwardly extending annular flange i9, which flange I9 is preferably curved upon its outer face 20 from the body portion I3 of the nipple toward the outer periphery of the cap |'I to provide a convex outer face upon the outer end of the cap 25 and provide a receding outer face upon the cap away from the nose of the baby while sucking. The flange |9 is provided adjacent the aperture |8 and upon its inner face with an inwardly extending bead 2|, which bead 2| is adapted to 30 fit within the channel 9 of the flange I4 directly under the shoulder I6 of the body portion I3 of the nipple and at the point of junction of the flange I4 with the body portion I3. This bead 2| will constitute an efficient means for engaging 35 the flange adjacent the body portion I3 and inwardly of the vent opening I5 so as to prevent the spreading of the vent l5 when an excessive pull is exerted upon the body portion I3 of the I nipple. The outer edge of the flange I4 yis adapted 40 to be firmly clamped between the flange 20 of the cap I1 and the extreme outer edge of the neck of the bottle I0, and this inwardly extending bead 2| will tend to hold that portion of the flange through which the vent opening l5 is formed against lateral distortion or strain, at the same time permitting the flange to properly flex inwardly when a vacuum is built up in the bottle.

The bead 2| is provided with a curved under and inner face 36 and an inner straight shoulder 31, the channel 9 being sloped. to conform to the transverse contour of the bead 2|, as shown clearly in Figure 3.

It should be understood that as a vacuum is built up in the bottle through the baby sucking upon the nippleor body portion I3 thereof, the nange I4 may flex away from vthe inner face of 4 the flange 20 of the cap I1 and draw the upper fac'e of the ange adjacent the vent I5 away 5 from the inner face of the ange 20 of the cap I1 and allow air to pass under the shoulder I8 and between the body portion I3 of the nipple and the edge of the aperture I8, under the under face oi the flange 20 of the cap I1, and through the vent 10 opening I5 into the bottle. Under ordinary conditions it would be impossible to obtain an airair under the shoulder, I provide scored air channels 22 which may be in any number or design leading at a tangent across the outer face of the flange to the central aperture I8.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a very simple and eiilcient means has been 20 provided in the nature of the shoulder I6 for preventing the body portion of the nipple from collapsing inwardly of the neck of the bottle when a vacuum is built up therein, and that the bead 20 will also greatly strengthen the nipple at the junction of the body portion and flange and tend to resist the pulling or tearing of the ange adjacent the vent opening I5 when excessive pull is exerted upon the body portion I3.

In Figure 6, there is shown a modied form oi the invention carrying out the same principle previously described, the same type of nipple being employed and being designated in this form by the numeral 23. However, a diierent type of securing cap is providedas indicated by the numeral 24, which cap 24 may be formed of soft l rubber and consists of a conical body of a thimbles like structure. The cap 24 is provided witha bead 25 adjacent the central aperture 26 through which the nipple 23 extends, the bead portion gripping the flange 21 of the nipple 23 in a manner similar to that described with respect to Figure 1. The outer face of the cap 24 preferably conforms to the contour of the nipple 23 and constitutes a continuation thereof to provide a.

streamline type connection between the nipple 23 and the bottle 28. The cap 24 may be provided with an inwardly extending annular iiange 29 for snapping under the bead 30 of the bottle 28. 'I'he flange 21 is provided with a vent openl ing 3| similar to the vent opening I5 previously described.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a further modiiied form of the invention wherein a nipple 23a. is illustrated similar to that shown in Figure 6, and

the cap 24a is preferably formed of hard or vulcanized rubber, bakelite, or other similar material. This cap 24a may be secured in any suitable or desired manner to the neck, or to the bottle 32, but lone type of connection is illustrated embodying lugs 33 formed on the inner face of the cap 24 for interiitting through the notches 34 of the flange 35, these lugs 33 being adapted to clamp under the flange 35. In this way, the flange 21a of the nipple 23a will be clamped between the upper edge of the cap 24 vand the upper edge of the bottle neck 32.

merge into the contour of the outer face of the nipple 23.

It should be understood that certain detail a. proper entrance of n changes in the mechanical construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be employed without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims. g

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In combination with a bottle having an open outer end, a cap removably fitting upon the open end of said bottle. said cap having a cen- 10 tral aperture, a nipple having its body portin projecting through said aperture and also having a shoulder portion overhanging the cap adjacent the aperture to prevent the inward collapsing of the nipple with respect to said bottle, said nipple 1s having a laterally extending flange adapted to be clamped between the end of said bottle and said cap, the flange having a vent opening formed therein normally covered at its outer end by said cap, and said cap having aix channels extending 20 under said shoulder portion to permit the passage of air under said shoulder portion and through said air vent as said ange is flexed away from said cap, the body portion of the nipple being slightly spaced from the cap to provide an exterior 25 vent communicating with said air channels.

2. In a nursing unit, a bottle having an open outer end, an apertured cap removably secured to ,said bottle, a nipple having a body portion extending through the apertured cap and a flange 30 clamped between said bottle and cap, said flange having a vent located under said cap, the body portion of said nipple extending through said cap and positioned to permit air to pass between the nipple and the cap into the bottle, said flange 36 having a, sunken channel located between the vent and the body portion ofthe nipple, and a depend- `ing bead carried by said cap and fitting in said channel for resisting lateral stretching of said iiange adjacent said vent when excessive pull is 4g exerted upon the body portion of the nipple..

3. In a. nursing unit, a bottle having an open outer end, a cap removably secured to said bottle, Vsaid cap having a central aperture, a nipple extending through said aperture of said cap, said 45 nipple having a lateral flange fitting under said cap and between the cap and end of the bottle, said flange having an aperture constituting a vent located under said cap and normally covered by the cap, said cap having a bead upon its inner 50 face adjacent the aperture in the cap, and said flange having means located inwardly of the vent with respect to the center of the nipple and engaging said bead for resisting lateral stretching of said flange adjacent said vent when excessive 55 pull is exerted upon the body portion of the nipple.

4. In combination with a bottle having an open outer end, a retaining cap removably connected with the open end of the bottle. an elastic nipple having a laterally extending iiange adapted to be clamped between the cap and the bottle, the tiange having vent openings formed therein normally covered at their outer ends by the cap, the body 

